Monday, December 20, 2010

Diana's in the House

Last night I sat curled up on the couch as the fire in the fire place roared, Christmas movies played on t.v., and the Christmas tree glittered beautifully in the soft firelight. All the family was together and we had just enjoyed a nice meal. Next to me was an address book, in my lap was a pile of Christmas cards. I sat writing them out by hand to each of the family and friends I wished to convey cheery holiday greetings to when Diana added her thoughts...

"So I see you;'re doing the obligatory maintenance of a facade of connectedness even though some of these people you only have contact once a year when you give into Hallmark consumerism as you provide the post office with increased business."

Yes, Ebeneezer. So good to have you home from college. Now no cookies for you.

18 comments:

Heh, heh. I understand both sides of it, as I expect you do too. Some years I feel it. Others, not so much. This year is one of those "others," not bad, but so busy....

I suppose there's something to appreciate in that. How many more Christmases will I have with the whole family, as we know it now? 10? 15? That part is good. It's the pace that gets me. The pace and the list of "haftas," over which I have only limited control .

Get thee behind me, Santa!

Well, I haven't given up trying, and the Buddhists would say that counts for something - start from where you are and accept it for what it is. And there's always Raging Rudolph to get me smiling again.

I used to think exactly the same way. But as the years passed, I found that it wasn't so much a facade; they really are people who, while I don't really have intimate daily contact with them (and honestly, the more intimate daily contact I DO have with someone, the less likely I am to send them a Christmas card), I don't want to lose contact with them, nor have them lose contact with me. . .

amazing intellect as she comes from college. i still send out about 40 or more cards, and i DO talk to these people more then once a year. and even if i didn't i would still send the card, to let them know they are not forgotten.i love her train of thought thogh.

Tell her, if you please, that some of us consider finding Christmas cards in the mail a significant highlight of the day, and we say a blessing for each person thoughtful enough to send us one.

And, yes, no cookies for her!

Having said that, I have issues with Hallmark (nothing so serious that I curse anyone who sends Hallmark cards or anything, but I try to not use theirs, myself.) That part of her rant I could cozy up to a bit :-)